Woodland FC Survive "Hell Weekend"--Win 3 Grueling Matches in 72-hour Period

Gage Pemberton races onto the ball

In what can only be considered a Herculean feat of grit and guts, Woodland FC ran the gauntlet over this past weekend. They played two matches in the Kansas State Cup (one on Saturday night, one on Sunday night), and a Select League match on Monday night against three teams ready to put a dent in their season.

Battling on two fronts was a new challenge for the Royals heading into the weekend. This was their first foray into the Kansas State Cup, and they were on the same bracket as the 3 northland squads in Kansas City. They would have to get through Antioch Rangers in round 1, the winner of Liberty vs Northand in round 2, and play cross-town rivals Lenexa City in the Tallgrass Derby on Monday in a Select League tilt.

Here's how the matches happened:

Woodland FC vs Antioch Rangers FC (Kansas State Cup Quarterfinal)

The match began with Woodland applying early pressure, forcing a corner kick almost immediately off the opening kickoff. Antioch would respond by intercepting a bad pass from the backline, and forcing a save from Joe Keeven early. The half was filled with Woodland finding several opportunities to attack the Antioch goal, but a clinical finish was not forthcoming. The half would be marked by Woodland forcing several corner kicks, and saves from the keeper, including great shots going just wide, or straight to the keeper's arms. Antioch would find some half chances throughout the half, but nothing concrete to force an opener.

0-0 halftime.

The Royals had a calm demeanor at half time, knowing that the break through was just on the cusp of happening, when the dam broke, and the goals surged through for them. Just under 30 seconds into the half, Tate Lancaster broke through the right side of the Antioch defense, and played a low, hard, cross into the box that Chandler Givler tapped home for the lead, sending the Royals bench into delirium.

1-0

Just a few minutes after the opener, Antioch played a slow back pass to their keeper. Givler raced over to pressure the keeper who struggled to release the ball, and Givler was able to tap home for a 2nd for Woodland, and for himself. The Woodland bench erupted, smelling blood in the water.

2-0

Woodland newcomer, Jake Ashford, was able to mark his State Cup debut with the club by scoring his first goal of his Woodland career to put the Royals out of reach.

3-0

Near the end of the 2nd half, Woodland were able to break down the right through some great 1-touch passing. Jake Hilpertshauser touched a pass back to Jake Ashford. Ashford dribbled around his man to the right of the penalty box, crossed low on the ground to a wide open Hilpertshauser, who found himself in loads of space in the middle of the penalty box, and tapped in to complete the rout.

4-0

Woodland would concede a late consolation goal to Antioch to lose the shutout, but the win would be secured all the same.

4-1 W

Game 2

Woodland vs. Northland FC (Kansas State Cup Semifinal)

Woodland and Northland squared off 24 hours after their respective State Cup quarterfinal matchups, weary, but with lots of work to be done. Woodland would lay seige to the Northland goal from the opening whistle, winning almost 20 corner kicks throughout the match in total. The players were grateful for a slight reprieve from the heat brought on by the light drizzle. Northland boasted a completely revamped lineup from midseason transfer window that showed them to be a completely different opponent from the team that was swept aside by Woodland earlier in the year by a score of 6-0 at Happy Rock Park.

Woodland wouldn't have to wait till the halftime whistle to find their first goal this time. After a long goal kick from Northland, Gage Pemberton won it out of the air, heading it all the way from midfield to the frontline where Jake Ashford collected it, turned on his man, and fired it past the diving Northland keeper to put Woodland in front.

1-0

Halftime

The second half was marked by more Woodland dominance, but unable to add to their tally. Their wastefulness was punished when Northland broke down the side after a miscommunication on a defense, and their right wing collected the ball in the box, and curled a great host past Luke Heaton to level the tie.

1-1

But Woodland were not to be denied. With just 8 minutes left in the match, Sean Thomson would intercept an errant pass in midfield, slide it up to Federico Verlicchi. He played Joseph Caughron in on goal. Caughron lengthened his stride, and passed the ball perfectly into the bottom corner to give Woodland the lead. A lead they would not relinquish.

2-1 W

Game 3

Woodland vs Lenexa City FC (Select League match, and the Tallgrass Derby)

Woodland came into the Monday match with a very thin roster. Only 14 players were healthy coming into the match either through minutes played, injury, or flat out availability. Lenexa was well rested, and eager to end the title chase for their cross-town rivals. Woodland needed to dig deep to not only get the result, but slow down Lenexa's incredible goal scoring threat Chase Simpson, who was on fire lately.

Lenexa showed up ready to play. They put stress on the weary Royals down the flanks, forcing the Royals to play smart, and make simple plays. This wasn't the time for flashy attacks, or complex strategies. Woodland had to be smart and use their energy reserves to come out on top. Midway through the half, Lenexa had a miscommunication between their central defender and their keeper, forcing an errant back pass. The keeper had to dive down on his line and use his hands to keep the ball out, forcing the referee to blow his whistle for the indirect free kick to Woodland. Givler would touch the ball to Jackson who smashed it home into the bottom corner for the 1-0 lead.

1-0

With the last kick of the half, Derrick Carson would head down a high corner kick toward the goal. Lenexa would block the header, but the ball landed directly at the feet of Tim Struemph, who back heelded the ball into the net past 2 defenders.

2-0

Halftime

Woodland would punctuate the match with an excellent free kick taken by Federico Verlicchi. The ball landed on Brett Jackson's head, who headed back across goal to a wide open Joseph Caughron. He smashed a blockbuster of a shot off the underside of the cross bar and into the back of the net.

3-0.

Lenexa would find a late goal after a Woodland defender lost his footing, surely due to weekend fatigue, and the shut out would be lost, but the win secured.

3-0 W

Thus ended a wildly difficult, but successful, weekend for the Royals. They kept pressure on Olathe United at the top of the table, and have the Kansas State Cup final coming up this Saturday, where they take on Olathe United for the State Cup. By making the final, the Royals have also qualified for the Region 2 tournament in Fort Wayne Indiana next month.

Be sure to check out the match replays on our club youtube channel as soon as they are uploaded!

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